"We are hands-on owners," Simon said. "It's really fun building a brand from the ground up.

"This is gourmet food in a bar setting," Simon said.

Simon explained why the owners chose Norwalk.

"It's nice to be able to explore a smaller market and Ken (Russ, Legends co-owner) brought this opportunity to us," Simon said. "This is a giant test for us."

Once the restaurant is complete, it will feature a 1,500-square-foot patio.

Comments

swiss cheese kat

Sun, 07/13/2014 - 10:55pm

$150 per year seems like a bargain for using land with a taxable value of $14,900.00.

bnjjad

Mon, 07/14/2014 - 8:35am

"60 by 210-foot piece of property that falls into the city's right-of-way." - Not like any other company is going to buy it. If the property is in right-of-way then there is no practical use for it.

Snoozer

Mon, 07/14/2014 - 1:47am

This is a great new business for norwalk ohio, I cant wait to attend the grand opening! Lets hope our local law enforcement shows some respect and Leniency to there patrons! Im not condoning drinking and driving by any means! but do we really need five cruisers parked across the street on their first nite in business?

ladydye_5

Mon, 07/14/2014 - 10:04am

Leniency? So you are ok with drinking and driving? There is a difference between leaving a business alone and just turning a blinds eye to drunks endangering others.

Snoozer

Mon, 07/14/2014 - 2:23am

oops i meant theirs not theres

other.PP

Mon, 07/14/2014 - 5:01pm

oops you also meant "night' not "nite".

Contango

Mon, 07/14/2014 - 7:14am

Re: "Bar145° also will pay the city $150 per year,"

Another case of this city admin's support of corporate welfare that local citizens and other businesses subsidize with their tax dollars.

bnjjad

Mon, 07/14/2014 - 8:41am

So the business, which is paying for developing the property into a parking lot from a unused lot and paying a lease fee for said lot is getting a subsidy.

Remember this is a lot in a right-of-way. More than likely this lot has no other practical use. At least it is making SOME money, rather than none.

Contango

Mon, 07/14/2014 - 11:00am

Re: "is getting a subsidy,"

Yes. Sell it and garner fresh property tax dollars.

bnjjad

Mon, 07/14/2014 - 1:10pm

Sure, sell it to the people that are leasing it.

Granted I don't think they will get asking value since it is considered right-of-way and cannot be used for anything else other than a parking lot. Especially when said parking lot could be taken back if/when the need arises.

Whoopball

Mon, 07/14/2014 - 6:38pm

Canadian researchers have confirmed what most people suspected all along: that internet trolls are archetypal Machiavellian sadists.

Contango

Tue, 07/15/2014 - 6:46am

Re: "Canadian researchers,"

So it's not governmental favoritism?

William Jeffers...

Mon, 07/14/2014 - 7:32am

It's fine, just give it some criteria like a 5 years. If business booms, for years 6-10 we can up it to $129. lol. Actually, this is what any city needs to do to attract/keep businesses.

Contango

Mon, 07/14/2014 - 7:50am

Re: "any city needs to do to attract/keep businesses."

Heck with that tax gimmick in mind, just eliminate all city business and personal income taxes.

If you subsidize it they will come?

Dr. Information

Mon, 07/14/2014 - 8:49am

Don't play both sides of the fence Contango. This piece of property is non developable (except for whomever owns that building). Nobody is losing on this deal. The city is gaining another 150 buck for land they have gotten 0 dollars on since Norwalks existence.

Contango

Mon, 07/14/2014 - 11:04am

Sell it. The govt. should not be in the leasing business.

Fresh property tax dollars.

In fact, the city has lots of public property on it's books that could undoubtedly be privatized and generate revenue.

Dr. Information

Mon, 07/14/2014 - 8:53pm

I agree, they should sell it.

Kottage Kat

Mon, 07/14/2014 - 9:11am

Dr.
Thank you

Whoopball

Mon, 07/14/2014 - 10:14am

Bigger parking lot=more customers=more tax revenue. Do this and pick up $150 in addition to taxes or let it sit unused and maintain it. Seems like a good move to me.

Contango

Mon, 07/14/2014 - 11:02am

Re: "$150,"

How was that amt. determined?

earlduck

Mon, 07/14/2014 - 10:42am

I doubt that an upscale restaurant will be successful in Norwalk,but if they need a weed patch to take a chance and give it to them,bunch of old misers on here

J Cooper

Mon, 07/14/2014 - 11:50am

For all of our resident experts, its the right of way, it never been taxable, never will be, and can't be sold because its maintained as the right of way. We have a business that will be paying property tax, business tax, sales tax and generate income tax and is willing to locate in Norwalk. It has zero value other than to an adjoining property owner who is willing to improve it at their expense, easy call.

mnmsmom

Mon, 07/14/2014 - 1:46pm

This is a "good news" story and you people have somehow pulled a $150.00 problem with our city or restaurant or "fairness" issue. Wow! Just wow!

mnmsmom

Mon, 07/14/2014 - 2:13pm

I'll give each of you $150 to never say another negative thing on here!

earlduck

Mon, 07/14/2014 - 3:56pm

I'll take the money

norwalkresident

Mon, 07/14/2014 - 4:00pm

Is the property that we are talking about the old railroad tracks that could possibly give the east side more of a straight shot to the north side and vice versa? Can this not be developed into a road? Also is this option for all business. You ask me you are opening a big can of worms. They knew the parking situation before choosing that property . Surely no one from the city would promise this so they would buy that building. Now we are going to change the rules for some This sounds like the under handed deal that poor East Of Chicago was promised a few years back. You move in the new development from uptown and we will put light at the end of Stower. Politics even in Norwalk.

J Cooper

Mon, 07/14/2014 - 5:05pm

Where is the money coming from for this new road you propose, the city still maintains ownership and if the need arises in the future, the city maintains ownership. If no use has been found since the railroad abandoned the property I highly doubt a need is in the near future. This business is generating taxes for the city and will pay for the cost of the improvements. All I ever hear is the need for more jobs and an increased tax base, we finally find a company that is willing to bring both and all we hear is the negative comments.

bnjjad

Mon, 07/14/2014 - 5:30pm

"All I ever hear is the need for more jobs and an increased tax base, we finally find a company that is willing to bring both and all we hear is the negative comments." - So true.

Contango

Mon, 07/14/2014 - 5:39pm

Re: "we finally find a company that is willing to bring both,"

So big business corporate welfare (Borgers) is OK for some, but not for ALL corps. and businesses current and potential?

What about sm. businesses which is the vast majority of the locals? They hire one employee, where's their tax subsidy?

With all of your alleged knowledge, why not run for public office, oh I know, you would rather second guess others and enjoy being negative. The smoke and mirrors is you wanting it both ways, you complain the city doesn't do anything to attract business and when they do, you do nothing but find fault.